Kermit Weeks to get his B-25 Apache Princess back in the air

[Lynn Allen]

I would like to see Kermit's Lancaster restored and flying....

I would too, but somehow I think that Kermit will never restore that, the B-29, B-24, B-26, A-20, the Shorts flying boat, or any of the other large stuff. I think all of those airplanes are beyond the resources of even him. I hope I'm wrong, but it wouldn't surprise me to see all of those airplanes sit in his collection and eventually be sold off sometime in the distant future.

I would hope of all of his big stuff, he would restore that one. Just the engine hangar is worth the price of just going there....

[seabee1526]

...well if he doesn't want his B-24, I've got a perfect spot for it....

[Django]

I'd like to see the B-24 and the B-29 fly as well. At least the B-24 project is a bit more attainable.

[Ken]

Just did some Google-ing and find few entries regarding this aircraft on WIX. Did find an April 01 Air Classics excerpt that describes the last mission of the real Apache Princess. The web excerpt leads one to believe that photos of the original airplane were included, but they were not shown on the web.

Can anyone post images of the original A.P.? As for the 345th Indian head insignia, I see that Kermit's is slightly different than the standard Air Apache paintwork - are there any surviving photos of this as well?

Always enjoy seeing an accurate recreation of a wartime bird.

The article also comments that this B-25 may have the most original wartime equipment of any B-25 flying. Details???

Thanks,
Ken

[gary1954]

I was wondering if Connie engines would be suitable to install on a B-29....Just asking because I don;t know anything about the B-29 or a Connie.

Now this is merely my thought process, but maybe, Mr. Weeks had done the numbers, and found that a B-25 with seats available adds up as a money generaor, granted she'll cost some bucks to operate, but with his museum, the possibility of a "full complement" on each Regularly schduled flight, that he may make a buck-er-several. *runs for cover*

[marine air]

My guess is that he wants to fly it to the Doolittle Raiders gathering next year. THere can't possibly be more than one or two more events.

[CAPFlyer]

I was wondering if Connie engines would be suitable to install on a B-29....Just asking because I don;t know anything about the B-29 or a Connie.

Now this is merely my thought process, but maybe, Mr. Weeks had done the numbers, and found that a B-25 with seats available adds up as a money generaor, granted she'll cost some bucks to operate, but with his museum, the possibility of a "full complement" on each Regularly schduled flight, that he may make a buck-er-several. *runs for cover*

The R3350-B29 that Gary put together is better than the Connie R3350's to be honest. I think that FiFi will prove it out and I'll bet that if Kermit ever wants to put his plane up again, he'll find it much cheaper and lasting to go that route than try to make the conversions required for accepting the civilianized R3350.

[Ken]

I was wondering if Connie engines would be suitable to install on a B-29....Just asking because I don;t know anything about the B-29 or a Connie.

Now this is merely my thought process, but maybe, Mr. Weeks had done the numbers, and found that a B-25 with seats available adds up as a money generaor, granted she'll cost some bucks to operate, but with his museum, the possibility of a "full complement" on each Regularly schduled flight, that he may make a buck-er-several.

These questions catch me off guard.

1-Other threads have essentially stated that the FoF B-29 project is on long-term "hold". Not saying that FiFi is the perfect solution, but my impression is that the 3350s created for FiFi were the best compromise of available parts suited to the B-29 engine mount and nacelle. I would have to guess that if Connie engines were a more effective solution, then that path would have been followed in Midland. Either way, I'm not sure how an engine mod choice for his B-29 would have any impact bringing the B-25 back to active status.

2-A poster who appears to work at FoF has previously stated that the B-25 had been down for a fuel leak and that, due to the number of airplanes in the museum inventory, it is routine for airplanes to rotate in and out of flying status regardless.

3-A quick glance at the FoF web site shows only biplane and hot air balloon rides. Do you have info to suggest that he intends to enter the B-25 into a rides program?

[67N20]

Took these pictures of Kermit's B25 last March.

[gary1954]

I was wondering if Connie engines would be suitable to install on a B-29....Just asking because I don;t know anything about the B-29 or a Connie.

Now this is merely my thought process, but maybe, Mr. Weeks had done the numbers, and found that a B-25 with seats available adds up as a money generaor, granted she'll cost some bucks to operate, but with his museum, the possibility of a "full complement" on each Regularly schduled flight, that he may make a buck-er-several.

These questions catch me off guard.

1-Other threads have essentially stated that the FoF B-29 project is on long-term "hold". Not saying that FiFi is the perfect solution, but my impression is that the 3350s created for FiFi were the best compromise of available parts suited to the B-29 engine mount and nacelle. I would have to guess that if Connie engines were a more effective solution, then that path would have been followed in Midland. Either way, I'm not sure how an engine mod choice for his B-29 would have any impact bringing the B-25 back to active status.


3-A quick glance at the FoF web site shows only biplane and hot air balloon rides. Do you have info to suggest that he intends to enter the B-25 into a rides program?

1. I was merely axing a question, as I am way to lazy to search through the volumes of pages here to look as see how the possibility of installing Connie engines on a B-29, if it is/was feasible

2. I have no information to suggest that Mr. Weeks intends to enter the B-25 into a rides program. I imagine that he was well aware that there was going to be a gathering of B-25s for the latest Tokyo Raiders Reunion, because he knows so many people in the field of aviation, so I guesstimate he knew it was going to happen, so he had plently of time to get his Mitchell back in the air for the event. A buck is a buck, and turning a buck is to his advantage.
I know that if "I" had a museum of his capacity, that "I" would have all of my bombers flight ready and rides baby rides.

[Django]

Can anyone post images of the original A.P.? As for the 345th Indian head insignia, I see that Kermit's is slightly different than the standard Air Apache paintwork - are there any surviving photos of this as well?

I'm reading the group history right now. I think that is the early version of the insignia. I'll have to look through some of the photos in the book to confirm.

[Ken]

I think that is the early version of the insignia.

Check it out:

http://web.cortland.edu/van/webdoc9.htm

[Chuck Gardner]

The B-25 is currently being worked on and is expected to return to flight in a few months.
The ride program with the Stearman and New Standard at FOF is an outside contract and has nothing to do with FOF except for providing a service.

[Hemiman]

We stopped flying our B-25 a number of years ago due to a leaking fuel cell. We are presently trying to install a NOS tank but this is giving us problems due to the stiffness of the new old tank.We may have to install a new Aero Tech bladder which cost around 5,000 dollars.

Sounds like fun..not!! Similar experience changing the center bladder on a DC-10-30 (King Kong's Dong) UGH

Bill